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Saving advice & tips for people who want to live like kingsTue, 19 Mar 2019 15:10:58 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.9https://www.thepeoplescake.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/cropped-thepeoplescake-6-32x32.pngThe People’s Cakehttps://www.thepeoplescake.com
3232144465036How to Fake an Expensive Wardrobehttps://www.thepeoplescake.com/how-to-fake-an-expensive-wardrobe/
https://www.thepeoplescake.com/how-to-fake-an-expensive-wardrobe/#respondWed, 25 Apr 2018 12:23:04 +0000https://www.thepeoplescake.com/?p=94Image source: Adam Katz We’ve all known that girl who can somehow make bargain-bin finds look like Barney’s splurges. The secret to such a cultivated style isn’t magic: It’s knowing how to spot the design details that make clothes seem cheap and the ones that make them look way more expensive than they are. Here […]

We’ve all known that girl who can somehow make bargain-bin finds look like Barney’s splurges. The secret to such a cultivated style isn’t magic: It’s knowing how to spot the design details that make clothes seem cheap and the ones that make them look way more expensive than they are.

Here are our tips on how to spot a piece that is of low quality, and how to be sure that even your on-the-low finds look luxe.

The piece: SweatersThe culprit: Fine knits

Though a soft, whisper-thin cashmere knit is something of a closet staple, nothing makes your basic cotton or wool look cheaper than when your undershirt shows through. When you’re bargain-shopping for sweaters, make sure you choose thick, substantial knits. Even better if the top has textural details like ribbing or cables.

The piece: JacketsThe culprit: Skimpy fabric

There’s a reason hemlines rise during tough economic times: Fabric’s not cheap, which is why low-priced manufacturers often skimp on volume and length. So, if you find a moderately priced wrap jacket, duster, or cocoon coat, jump on it — it’s that surfeit of fabric that makes high-end clothes feel so luxe.

The piece: JeansThe culprit: Stretch

Jeans with too much stretch can look thin, ill-fitting, and more youthful than you intend — you don’t want to retreat to those teenage days wearing $10 leggings.

Instead, choose weighty denim like Levi’s that will hold its shape, a good ratio to look for is 98% cotton, 2% elastane (also known as Lycra or Spandex).

The piece: RingsThe culprit: Fake stones

We all been there – who doesn’t love a cool, chunky cocktail ring that you can pick up for $3 next to the cereal isle? But, unfortunately this plastic purchase isn’t made to last and next thing you know its shiny faux-jewel will plop out of its setting, leaving you the proud owner of a glob of glue on a fake-gold band.

Instead, make your statement with a set of stacking bands. Extra points for finding ones that have a hammered finish so that’ll hide the inevitable gold-plate rub-off.

The piece: Faux-leather bagsThe culprit: Patent-leather

Whether you’re looking for a bargain or an ethical buy, there’s nothing wrong with fake leather. But stay away from patent, which even in a $2,000 form still tends to look cheap.

Instead opt for a pebbled or textured style, because it will more closely mimic the matte finish of the real stuff. Try a structured shape, too — a satchel, duffle bag, or shopper tote will make the best of faux leather’s tendency toward stiffness.

The piece: BootsThe culprit: Shiny hardware

Nothing cheapens a pair of boots like a bunch of glaringly fake, too-shiny gold accents all over the place. Choose a muted, everyday ankle boot, and avoid the studs, buckles, and exposed zippers that would probably snap off in a week anyway.

]]>https://www.thepeoplescake.com/how-to-fake-an-expensive-wardrobe/feed/094How to afford the luxury items you want – Tips & advicehttps://www.thepeoplescake.com/how-to-afford-the-luxury-items-you-want-tips-advice/
https://www.thepeoplescake.com/how-to-afford-the-luxury-items-you-want-tips-advice/#respondMon, 02 Apr 2018 20:00:53 +0000https://www.thepeoplescake.com/?p=28With a lot of luxury items on the market, it is very easy to lose your head and want everything in sight. Here are some tips to afford them without falling into debt. The Grass is not always greener – try not to compete with friends You do not have to have everything your friends […]

]]>With a lot of luxury items on the market, it is very easy to lose your head and want everything in sight. Here are some tips to afford them without falling into debt.

The Grass is not always greener – try not to compete with friends

You do not have to have everything your friends or your frenemies or your favorite celebrities have. You do not know their finances. So trying to keep up with the Joneses might end up in a tragedy. Know your limits.

Save before you buy

Before thinking of shopping and dropping hundreds of dollars for a luxury item, make sure you have enough savings for regular expenses, emergency expenses, short-and long-term goals, and retirement.

Really want something, be patient and wait for sales

Most classic pieces hardly go on sale because they look good whatever the season. But there are some items that have a classic look that go on sale. So wait for those and not blow all your money in one go.

Buy quality over quantity

It is always best to have one quality item that will last you for a long time than owning several pieces that fall apart after a short period of time. Learn where to invest your money in.

Don’t get hyped up

Brands have their finger on the pulse on what is hot and what is not. And they respond to this by coming out with fast fashion trends. They may be hot right now but before impulsively buying them, consider if they will still be hot the following year or in years to come. If the answer is no, it might be best to skip them and save your money for big ticket items.

Save for big ticket items

There are luxury items that we absolutely have to have. After careful consideration and you still decide to buy it, whether it is on sale or not, make sure you have enough money to buy it. So skip buying other items in order to afford your must-have without touching your nest egg.

]]>https://www.thepeoplescake.com/how-to-afford-the-luxury-items-you-want-tips-advice/feed/028How much money do you need to live comfortably?https://www.thepeoplescake.com/how-much-money-do-you-need-to-live-comfortably/
https://www.thepeoplescake.com/how-much-money-do-you-need-to-live-comfortably/#respondTue, 27 Mar 2018 19:56:38 +0000https://www.thepeoplescake.com/?p=25US households have the impression that they are living comfortably and earning well enough for themselves. But a survey asking about unexpected expenses revealed that these households do not have enough for emergencies and may end up in debt. This begs the question: How much savings is enough? What you should save at the very […]

]]>US households have the impression that they are living comfortably and earning well enough for themselves. But a survey asking about unexpected expenses revealed that these households do not have enough for emergencies and may end up in debt. This begs the question: How much savings is enough?

What you should save at the very minimum

American financial adviser, Dave Ramsey, suggests setting aside $1,000 as a good start in savings. This is far from enough but having this amount for emergency car repairs or medical expenses will keep you from borrowing and getting into debt.

To save for a rainy day, or when a layoff is possible, having at least three months’ worth of savings should be enough to keep you going. This does not mean you can live lavishly as before but utmost frugality should be observed until a secure source of income is certain.

A bit complicated

It is very difficult to peg an amount for a nest egg as there are other things to consider. Your status in life will make a big difference, like if you are single, or married, or have children. The more people you are responsible for, the bigger the savings you need to set aside. Ditto for single people who live alone, or with roommates, or still live with parents. Each has different expenses and choices on what expenses to cut to survive without any income. Another thing to consider is debt. A debt-free person does not have to worry over monthly payments while a person in debt has to set aside extra funds to make sure not to miss those monthly payments.

Even if we have different circumstances and needs, we all have to start saving and build a nest egg to be ready for a rainy day.

]]>https://www.thepeoplescake.com/how-much-money-do-you-need-to-live-comfortably/feed/025Want to afford staying at a Luxury hotel? Here are some budget tips to do ithttps://www.thepeoplescake.com/want-to-afford-staying-at-a-luxury-hotel-here-are-some-budget-tips-to-do-it/
https://www.thepeoplescake.com/want-to-afford-staying-at-a-luxury-hotel-here-are-some-budget-tips-to-do-it/#respondTue, 27 Mar 2018 19:51:35 +0000https://www.thepeoplescake.com/?p=22Everyone wants to make memories with loved ones and everyone wants to stay at luxury hotels when possible. Even with special deals and packages, luxury hotel rates are still pricey. But with these smart tips, you will be able to afford staying at those posh accommodations. Act like a tourist somewhere else Why spend hundreds […]

]]>Everyone wants to make memories with loved ones and everyone wants to stay at luxury hotels when possible. Even with special deals and packages, luxury hotel rates are still pricey. But with these smart tips, you will be able to afford staying at those posh accommodations.

Act like a tourist somewhere else

Why spend hundreds of dollars if you are not going to stay and enjoy plush surroundings? If you plan to go sightseeing, book a cheaper room where you will just sleep. When you move to the luxury hotel, stay and enjoy all its amenities and get ready to be pampered.

Very important: don’t be picky with dates

Let’s face it. Hotels hike up their prices during holiday season. So if you got your heart set on that five-star hotel, consider adjusting your travel dates to knock off hundred of dollars off your expenses.

Embrace what is included

Be familiar with all the inclusions in your package and enjoy them to the fullest before paying for those extra activities and amenities.

The view is not everything

You want to have that sunset view from your bed or balcony? That is well and good but that jacks up the price of your room by 20-30%. You can still enjoy the beautiful view from other parts of the resort so be willing to take a room with a so-so view.

Focus on quality time

Be wise about your check in and check out schedule. If you arrive several hours after check in time, instead of going directly to the luxury hotel, try to book at a lower priced hotel and spend the night there. You can go enjoy the more posh accommodations the next day after you are well-rested. Ditto on your last day. If your flight is a few hours before check out, transfer to cheaper accommodations. This will save you 2 nights-worth in terms of cost.

If you follow these tips, you will maximize your budget and keep it as low as possible.

]]>https://www.thepeoplescake.com/want-to-afford-staying-at-a-luxury-hotel-here-are-some-budget-tips-to-do-it/feed/022Great ways to Budget your food spendinghttps://www.thepeoplescake.com/great-ways-to-budget-your-food-spending/
https://www.thepeoplescake.com/great-ways-to-budget-your-food-spending/#respondMon, 26 Mar 2018 01:30:22 +0000https://www.thepeoplescake.com/?p=14Budget your food spending Many people do not usually scrimp on food but it is one thing where you can undoubtedly save a lot. Here are some tried and tested tips. Set a budget for different categories. Do you need to have separate budgets for grocery shopping, work lunches, farmer’s market shopping? Do you set […]

Many people do not usually scrimp on food but it is one thing where you can undoubtedly save a lot. Here are some tried and tested tips.

Set a budget for different categories. Do you need to have separate budgets for grocery shopping, work lunches, farmer’s market shopping? Do you set aside some funds for weekly shopping? As every person is different, find out what will work for you.

Before going shopping, look up sales, promos, coupons, and discounts online. And, when you are shopping, use your phone’s calculator to monitor the total of what you have put in your cart before you hit the register. When you have an idea how much you have already gotten, you can drop or replace some stuff you do not necessarily need.

Always have cheap staples on-hand. It may be protein alternatives, fresh or frozen vegetables, beans or rice, or some fresh fruits. Keep basic ingredients readily available so you can prepare meals with some flexibility while not spending on extras.

When on a budget, find out what is your cheap go-to meal. We all have different preferences and needs. Knowing what it is will keep you from ordering take-out or going overboard with your spending. There are many inexpensive and nutritious choices available. They key is to figure out what will work for you.

Alcohol will set you back several bucks. Drinking at restaurants and bars can easily double your bill. A glass of wine, a shot of alcohol always cost a lot. If you cut back on drinking, or have it at home instead, will help you save your hard-earned cash.

There are still many different ways to cut back on your food spending. Just read up, be wise, and do not compromise once you have your plan.

]]>https://www.thepeoplescake.com/great-ways-to-budget-your-food-spending/feed/014How to eat out on a budget – This is how it’s donehttps://www.thepeoplescake.com/how-to-eat-out-on-a-budget-this-is-how-its-done/
https://www.thepeoplescake.com/how-to-eat-out-on-a-budget-this-is-how-its-done/#respondMon, 26 Mar 2018 01:27:35 +0000https://www.thepeoplescake.com/?p=9It is great to eat out and enjoy fantastic food outside your home. But eating out may cost $30 to $50 for two people. Good thing there are ways to still eat out and not break the bank. Here are some tips. The very basic tip is to set a budget if you want to […]

]]>It is great to eat out and enjoy fantastic food outside your home. But eating out may cost $30 to $50 for two people. Good thing there are ways to still eat out and not break the bank. Here are some tips.

The very basic tip is to set a budget if you want to eat out. Set a specific amount that you are able to spend and stick to it.

You can also look for websites that sell gift certificates at a lower price. Some local businesses offer such to get new customers to come in. So take advantage of such offers. You can also find discounts on Groupon. Groupon features discounts on food or at restaurants. You just simply locate a restaurant near you and find what great deals are available. You can also earn gift cards when you do online work. Swagbucks.com offers gift cards as an alternative way of compensation. Or you can buy discounted gift cards from Cardpool.com or Raise.com. Raise.com also offers more discounts for first-timers.

Another tip is to go to self-serve restaurants. By reducing the manpower, the restaurant’s overhead expenses are lower so they can offer lower prices. Some even do not require tipping so that saves you a buck or two. You can also try ordering half meals. Some restaurants do this, some don’t. This is good especially when dining alone and you cannot finish a regular order by yourself. Depending on your order, if it is easy to split, most restaurants are willing to do this for their customers.

If you have children, find restaurants that offer free meals for kids. Some restaurants offer a free kiddie meal to every paying adult. This will certainly help in reducing your expenses.

Another way to save money when eating out is sharing the meal. Most portion sizes are too big for one person anyway so why not share one meal and cut your bill in half?

There are many more ways to find a way to enjoy a nice meal at a restaurant without spending a lot.

]]>https://www.thepeoplescake.com/how-to-eat-out-on-a-budget-this-is-how-its-done/feed/09Want to Eat Organic Food? It does not have to be expensive!https://www.thepeoplescake.com/want-to-eat-organic-food-it-does-not-have-to-be-expensive/
https://www.thepeoplescake.com/want-to-eat-organic-food-it-does-not-have-to-be-expensive/#respondMon, 05 Mar 2018 14:21:33 +0000https://www.thepeoplescake.com/?p=57Whether or not organic food is better for you is a hotly debated subject. Is the extra money we spend actually worth it? The general consensus seems to be, essentially, “Yes, but only sometimes.” We spoke to a few experts to see how you can best work organic into your budget without spending a fortune. Packaged, processed foods are one […]

]]>Whether or not organic food is better for you is a hotly debated subject. Is the extra money we spend actually worth it? The general consensus seems to be, essentially, “Yes, but only sometimes.” We spoke to a few experts to see how you can best work organic into your budget without spending a fortune.

Packaged, processed foods are one example of how organic food may not be better for you. Junk foods like ice cream, pizza, and French fries can be made with organic ingredients. “Buying something organic does not necessarily mean buying healthy,” says Colin Zhu, DO. “At the end of the day, ‘organic’ is just a label.”

That label can sometimes hike up the price on certain items, and figuring out when it’s worth splurging can be confusing. Katrina Trisko, MS, RDN, CDN, a registered dietitian based in NYC, says that your best bet is to consider organic on an “individualized basis.” This means that not every item you put in your cart needs to be organic in order for you to get the most nutrients.

What matters above all is that you’re getting the most servings of fruits and vegetables that you can, whether they’re conventional or organic. “If you want the healthiest option, don’t get caught up if whether or not your veggie or fruit is organic,” says Amanda Sauceda MS, RDN,CLT. “Eating your fruits and veggies is more important than the label.”

When it comes to the most cost-effective option for eating well, there are work-arounds to simply buying organic food that are just as environmentally friendly and fresh.

Grow your own produce or join a community garden. “It’s expensive to buy organic, but it’s not expensive to grow organic,” says Zhu. Joining a community garden can be a great way to not only get tasty, organic produce on the cheap, but you’ll be contributing to the bigger picture of health in your neighborhood. “I have to vouch for homegrown tomatoes, because they taste a million times better than anything in the store,” says Sauceda. If you’re not ready to commit to an entire garden, community or otherwise, start with an herb box for your kitchen. You can have fresh, organic herbs for all your cooking right in the window, and it’s a low-risk way to test out your green thumb.

Shop local. “In terms of cost, you also have to pay attention to food mileage,” says Zhu, who points out that the farther a food has to travel out of the soil or off the vine, the lower the nutritional value becomes. Even if it doesn’t have an organic sticker on it, your fruits and veggies that came from a farm an hour away versus a farm across the country are going to be better for you.

Follow The Dirty Dozen. If you’re really passionate about buying organic produce, follow the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Dirty Dozen guide. The EWG lists the 12 produce items that generally have the highest amount of pesticides in them and would therefore be the most beneficial if bought organically. Strawberries are currently number one, and potatoes are number 12. Basically, if it has an outer peel or thick skin that you’ll remove, you don’t really need the organic sticker. Produce that you eat whole, skins and all, could be more beneficial if bought organic.

]]>https://www.thepeoplescake.com/want-to-eat-organic-food-it-does-not-have-to-be-expensive/feed/057How to save money on petrol at the pumps!https://www.thepeoplescake.com/how-to-save-money-on-petrol-at-the-pumps/
https://www.thepeoplescake.com/how-to-save-money-on-petrol-at-the-pumps/#respondMon, 05 Feb 2018 14:20:02 +0000https://www.thepeoplescake.com/?p=54While you can’t avoid paying more at the pumps, you can save money by filling up your car less often. Here are nine simple ways to do just that: 1. CHECK YOUR TYRE PRESSURE Underinflated tyres increase the rolling resistance between your vehicle and the road it’s travelling on. This means that you car has to burn […]

While you can’t avoid paying more at the pumps, you can save money by filling up your car less often. Here are nine simple ways to do just that:

1. CHECK YOUR TYRE PRESSURE
Underinflated tyres increase the rolling resistance between your vehicle and the road it’s travelling on. This means that you car has to burn more fuel to overcome all this extra drag and friction. Research has shown that correctly inflated tyres can increase your gas mileage by approximately 3.3%, so make sure you check your tyre pressure regularly.

2. DRIVE SMOOTHLY
A car’s engine easily uses the most fuel during bouts of hard acceleration. So try and accelerate away from a standstill as smoothly as possible. Be gentle with the pedal and don’t push it all the way to the floor. It’s equally important to look ahead and pre-empt the flow of traffic. This way you can avoid hard braking and keep your rolling momentum going for longer.

3. IDLING ISN’T IDEAL
Never keep your car’s engine idling for longer than a minute or so. This burns unnecessary amounts of fuel and also expends more combustion gases into the atmosphere. So if caught in a stop-go road maintenance scenario, for example, it’s best to turn off your engine until the path ahead is open again. Simple.

4. SHIFT GEARS SOONER
This one is pretty self-explanatory. The higher you rev the more fuel you will burn. Rev lower between each gear shift and you will certainly use less of the precious black stuff sloshing around in your tank. In other words, swap cogs like an old woman.

5. REDUCE DRAG AT ALL COSTS
Things like roof racks and bike racks ruin the fuel efficiency of your vehicle by creating unnecessary amounts aerodynamic drag. Take them off when not in use to get the most out of every drop of petrol. The same goes for open windows and sunroofs.

6. KEEP YOUR CAR CLEAN
Carrying unnecessary amounts of baggage around in your car increases its kerb weight. And increased weight, no matter how small, will always have a negative effect on fuel efficiency. As such you should regularly purge your boot and back seats of any junk that doesn’t need to be there.

7. AVOID RUSH HOUR
This isn’t always possible but try, if you can, to drive to and from work before or after rush hour sets in. The incessant idling and stop-start driving conditions will send your fuel consumption figures through the roof.

8. NEVER SKIMP ON SERVICING
If your car is running on old engine oil, breathing through a clogged air-filter and sucking petrol through a dirty fuel filter then it can never be expected to perform at its efficiency peak. Therefore it’s crucial to ensure that you stick, religiously, to the service intervals dictated in your vehicle’s user manual. Failure to do so will not just increase your overall fuel consumption but also decrease your engine’s performance.

9. PUT A FREEZE ON AIR-CONDITIONING
The air-conditioning unit in your car contains a compressor pump driven by the engine. When the air-con is used, the compressor uses power from your engine, thus increasing the work it has do and the amount of fuel it needs to keep going. So when you can, try and limit the use of your air-conditioner to maximize the mileage of every tank of fuel.

]]>https://www.thepeoplescake.com/how-to-save-money-on-petrol-at-the-pumps/feed/0545 Tips for reducing your phone billhttps://www.thepeoplescake.com/5-tips-for-reducing-your-phone-bill/
https://www.thepeoplescake.com/5-tips-for-reducing-your-phone-bill/#respondSat, 20 Jan 2018 17:51:40 +0000https://www.thepeoplescake.com/?p=134We have heard a lot of horror stories about people racking up unbelievable phone bills (the highest phone bill ever was 201K. It may be because of not minding their mobile phone usage and/or not thinking about their plan coverage or inclusions. Most incur huge phone bills because of unchecked international roaming services and mistaken […]

]]>We have heard a lot of horror stories about people racking up unbelievable phone bills (the highest phone bill ever was 201K. It may be because of not minding their mobile phone usage and/or not thinking about their plan coverage or inclusions. Most incur huge phone bills because of unchecked international roaming services and mistaken mobile data allowance and usage.

Mobile phone carriers will usually entice you to upgrade your plan or add an option to your plan. The offers may seem quite reasonable and useful but don’t be easily swayed. Always put to mind how you use your phone and how much the upgrades and add-ons will cost you at the end of the day.

To make sure you keep your phone bill to a minimum, here are some quick tips for you.

Check your plan

It is wise to check your plan’s coverage; what is included, what is not, what are the charges in excess of the allowed usage. For example, if you exceed your data allowance, how much do they charge you per kilobyte? Same goes for calls and SMS. How much does your carrier charge for every SMS you send or for every call minute in excess of your allowance?

Know your limits

Be mindful when calling people using a different carrier. Calls made to different carriers cost more than those of the same provider. You might want to keep the frequency and duration low and short, if your plan does not include free calls or free X number of minutes to other carriers. If you have unlimited data allowance, yet need to call or send SMS often, send online messages or place online calls instead. You can use Viber, WeChat, Skype, and other apps for this purpose. Just install the app, which is usually free on iOS and Android.

Watch out for paid apps and in-app purchases

While there are a lot of free apps around, there are some with a one-time payment while others may require a small monthly subscription fee. Just remember that a two-dollar recurring monthly fee for 10 apps can easily be USD 240 per year. A lot of free apps also offer enticing upgrades for a minimal fee of XX dollars. This is quite common in mobile games. Be sensible about other mobile purchases. Try to practice better self-control to manage your expenses. Also realise that more and more things can be purchased via the phone online, like in a mobile billing casino.

Learn how to negotiate

When your contract is almost over, that is the best time to negotiate the terms of renewing your contract. You can shop around and ask your provider to offer the same thing or something better.

At the end of the day, don’t be duped into buying or paying for something that you rarely or hardly use. Think of your needs and preferences and choose what will get you more bang for your buck.

]]>https://www.thepeoplescake.com/5-tips-for-reducing-your-phone-bill/feed/0134How to save money on gaminghttps://www.thepeoplescake.com/how-to-save-money-on-gaming/
https://www.thepeoplescake.com/how-to-save-money-on-gaming/#respondThu, 11 Jan 2018 15:30:32 +0000https://www.thepeoplescake.com/?p=168Gaming used to be a hobby for the rich because the cost of the equipment was quite high in the past. But over the years game consoles have become more affordable that everyone can buy one. All the more in the 21st century when hi-tech gadgets are a dime a dozen and are readily available. […]

]]>Gaming used to be a hobby for the rich because the cost of the equipment was quite high in the past. But over the years game consoles have become more affordable that everyone can buy one. All the more in the 21st century when hi-tech gadgets are a dime a dozen and are readily available. For the serious gamer, a gaming PC is a must-have. Of course, you will also need a gaming monitor, video games, a gaming headset, and a gaming keyboard. The entire basic setup may set you back USD 1,400. But it doesn’t necessarily have to cost you an arm and a leg. There are ways to save money on gaming.

Buy (used) and Sell

When playing video games, it does not matter if you use secondhand equipment. What matters is they are in proper working order. Buying used equipment or video games instantly halves the price, if you know where to look. Online stores sell used equipment and you can get sweet deals from them. New games only cost USD 20. To be on the safe side, always test the equipment before making a commitment to buy it. If you buy it online, check the return policy.

At the same time, if you want to upgrade your equipment, sell your current equipment and use that money to buy your new setup. Ditto for video games you’ve outgrown or don’t play anymore. You can sell them and buy new games you want. Or you can look for sites or communities that trade video games. You can swap titles with someone else with no cash involved. I bet that there are a lot of like-minded people looking for a great trade. Just don’t bet all your video games away. And today’s betting tips are free. Always remember that someone’s trash is another’s treasure.

Look for freebies, bundles, and promotions

Since companies always come up with an updated or upgraded version of a console, they tend to lower the price of a previous model. You don’t always need the latest game console version. The previous model may be quite a steal. Plus, the video games compatible to those consoles will also be discounted.

Most of the time, stores offer various promotions to push the sales of consoles, PCs, and video games. They can offer bundles, e.g. you get a discounted price for buying a console and video games, or several video games. Or they can just give away free video games when you buy a console or a PC at a certain price. Whatever the combination, make sure you check various shops and online stores before buying.

Value for your money

Some people buy consoles or video games on a whim, without thinking how long they will actually use the equipment or play the game. Some are carried by the hype and end up not using the console or playing the game after a while.

When buying equipment, think about the mid-term to long-term. Ask yourself how long you plan to use the equipment. Same goes for video games. Think about its replayability. Will you still want to play it over and over again? Will the game offer something different even if you repeat it? If the answer is no, think twice before making that purchase.

Gaming is a fun hobby but it does not have to break the bank in order to sustain it.